Adjustable chain bracelet



Nov. 26, 1968 P. A. HODGE 3,412,57@

ADJUSTABLE CHAIN BRACELET Filed March 5, 1966 FIGB 42 46 2 INVENTOR.

"'" PHILIP ALLAN HGDGE 3e 3o BY H G l O m Mams/warm ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,412,576 ADJUSTABLE CHAIN BRACELET Philip Allan Hodge, Warwick, RJ., assigner to Anson, Incorporated, Providence, RJ., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Mar. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 531,573 6 Claims. (Cl. 63-4) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE The present structure provides for a special end on one leg of a spring prong forming a part of a spring catch. The special end providing for loosely holding and nesting a chain line and for readily adjusting the length of a bracelet chain and for centering an ornament on a bracelet chain in relation to the end of a casing when a chain is reduced in length. The special end locking the loose link to the casing.

This invention relates to a chain bracelet and more particularly to mechanism for adjusting the length of the bracelet through the clasp.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clasp element with the means for readily adjusting the length of a chain bracelet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide clasp means for reducing the length and centering the bracelet in relation to a watch or other article worn on the wrist; should the bracelet chain be reduced from manufacturing size to a size to lit a wrist diameter.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an esthetically novel clasp of durable construction for an article of jewelry.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in part and be pointed out in part in the following specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the new and improved adjustable chain bracelet, with the casing and spring catch separated, and with the chain broken to indicate an indefinite length.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a step in the procedure of uniting the spring catch with the chain.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating a further step in the procedure of uniting spring catch with the chain.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, illustrating a further step in the procedure of uniting the spring catch with the chain.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the spring catch and casing with the spring catch about to enter the casing, to thereby form a clasp.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the clasp.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view, taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of three links of the bracelet chain.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE l0 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a modified form of clasp used with a chain bracelet, with the dual spring catches separated from the casing.

FIGURE 12 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the casing shown in FIGURE 11; with the spring catches assembled in the casing.

3,412,576 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 FIGURE 13 is a horizontal sectional view through the casing with the dual spring catches assembled therein.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, showing the construction of the cover for the modified form illustrated in FIGURES 11, l2 and 13.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 2, 5, 6 and 7, with reference character 10 generally designating a jewelry clasp, and with reference characters 11 and 12 generally designating, respectively, the casing and spring catch.

Casing 11 is tubular in form, slightly rectangular in shape, thin in vertical cross section and as illustrated, is arched to lit the contour of a wearers wrist.

Hollow casing 11 consists of a top member 13, a bottoni member 14, a right side member 15 and a left side member 16. A cavity with two open ends is thus formed as casing 11 with one open end indicated at 17. Left side member 16 is provided with an ear 18. The term ear, notch, saw tooth or tooth retaining projection are used interchangeably inthe art.

Spring catch 12 consists of an elongated flat body, generally U shaped, with a base 20 integrally united with two legs 21 and 22, separated by a space 23. Leg 21 lies generally in a right angle plane to base 20 and is provided with a portion 21A which is bent outwardly from space 23 to function as a spring prong. Leg 22 lies generally in a right angle plane to base 20 and is provided with a notch 24 having an upper edge 25 and a lower edge 26. A saw tooth 27 is also formed in leg 22 with lower edge 26 defining the top of saw tooth 27 and with a seat 28 forming the base of saw tooth 27.

That feature of the invention considered novel will now be described.

Leg 22 above notch 24 is provided with a twist at 30 to provide the -form of half a chain link 31 for the nesting of a curb chain link on the end of a bracelet, generally indicated by reference numeral 32. Half chain line 31 is provided with a tapered blade extension 33 which lies in a horizontal plane with leg 22 and which forms a restricted passageway 35 in cooperation with leg 22. A chain engaging loop 36 is thus formed as the end of leg 22. A passageway 37 lies between spring prong 21A and tapered blade extension 33 as a continuation of space 23.

Spring catch 12 is complementarily arched to be slidably -movable into and out of hollow casing 11 through open end 17.

Spring catch 12 is passed through open end 17 with side 21B yieldingly and slidably engaging right side member 15 and side 22B of leg 22 slidingly engaging left side member 16, with notch 24 (see FIGURE 7) overlying ear 1S so that lower edge 26 frictionally engages ear 18 to provide a spring lock arrangement.

A slug 40 or end cap is provided with one link 40A having the contour of what is known in the chain art as a filed curb chain. This means (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) that a link 32A is twisted so as to provide two medial high spots 42, 43 on one side of the link and two end high spots 44, 45 on the other side of the link with four depressed areas 46, 47, 48, 49 in a link so that adjacent links nest in the respective depressions. The high spots 42, 43, 44, 45 are led or ground iiat surfaces. In this way oppositely located liat surfaces constitute the chain surface. Therefore, a smooth ilat surface lies against the skin of the wrist.

Slug 40 is slid into the open end opposite open end 17. Right side member 15 and left side member 16 are crimped, respectively at 51, 52 to thereby fasten slug 40 in casing 11. There is a slight clearance 53 between the end of base 20 and slug 40 when spring catch 12 is locked within casing 11 (see FIGURE 7).

FIGURE 2 illustrates the tirst step in uniting spring catch 12 with iiled curb chain 32. The end of portion 21A of leg 21 is passed through the last link 32A of bracelet 32 and pulled therethrough with base 20 passing through link 32A (FIGURE 3), and leg 22 sliding along line 32A as shown in FIGURE 4. Tapered blade extension 33 is a spring type member so that restricted passageway 35 resiliently spreads apart as link 32A is passed therethrough to be positioned in loop 36.

In the form shown in FIGURES l, 6 and 7, line 40A is attached to link 32B. Link 32B is split, spread apart, engaged with link 40A and the spread apart ends are pressed together again, in the manner well known to the chain art.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 11, 12, and 13, wherein a chain bracelet 32 is provided with two spring catches 12C and 12D. Spring catch 12C consists of an elongated iiat body, generally U shaped, with a base 20C integrally united with two legs 21C and 22C, separated by a space 23C. Leg 21C lies, generally, in a right angle plane to base 20C and is provided with a portion 21D which is bent outwardly from space 23C to function as a spring prong. Leg 22C lies, generally, in a right angle plane to base 20C and is provided with two steps 24C and 24E. Leg 22C may be relieved at 22F to provide a better spring movement in leg 21C through base 20C.

Leg 22C above steps 24C, 24E is provided with a twist at 30C to provide the form of half a chain link 31C of a curb chain link bracelet, generally indicated oy reference numeral 32. Half chain link 31C is provided with a tapered blade extension 33C which lies in a horizontal plane with leg 22C and which forms a restricted passageway 35C in cooperation with leg 22C. A chain engaging loop 36C is thus formed as the end of leg 22C. A passageway 37C lies between spring prong 21C and tapered blade extension 33C as a continuation of space 23C.

Spring catch 12D constructed exactly the same as spring catch 12C. Spring catch 12D consists of an elongated at body, generally U shaped, with a base 80C integrally united with two legs 81C and 82C, separated by a space 83C. Leg 81C lies, generally, in a right angle plane to base 80C, and is provided with a portion 81D which is bent outwardly from space 83C to function as a spring prong. Leg 82C lies, generally, in a right angle plane to base 80C and is provided with two steps 84C and 84E. Legs 82C may be relieved at 82F to provide a better spring movement in leg 81C through base 80C.

Leg 82C above steps 84C, 84E is provided with a twist at 90C to provide the form of half a chain link 91C of a curb chain link bracelet, generally indicated by reference numeral 32. Half chain link 91C is provided with a tapered blade extension 93C which lies in a horizontal plane with leg 82C and which forms a restricted passageway 95C in cooperation with leg 82C. A chain engaging loop 96C is thus formed as the end of leg 82C. A passageway 97C lies between spring prong 81C and tapered blade extension 93C as a continuation of space 83C.

Tubular casing 11C consists of a top member 13C, a bottom member 14C, a right side member 15C and a left side member 16C. A cavity with two open ends is thus formed as casing 11C. A cover 60 is provided with an elongated slot 60A. The edges 61, 62 forming the slot are rolled over (see FIGURE l2) so as to fasten a bracket having oppositely disposed edges 65, 66 of a slot which are aligned with the slot in cover 60. The bracket also has oppositely disposed legs 63, 64 which are fastened to right side member C and left side member 16C, respectively, as by means of soldering, welding or the like. Cover 60 has a rolled edge 60B which abuts the end of tubular casing 11C.

In this manner one open end in casing 11C is partially closed by means of cover 60 with a slot 60A in cover 60 provided for the reception of a spring catch 12D.

In like manner the opposite open end of casing 11C is partially closed by means of a cover 60AA provided with an elongated slot 60C, the edges 61A, 62A of which are rolled over so as to fasten a bracket having oppositely disposed edges A, 66A, the bracket also has oppositely disposed legs 63A, 64A, which are fastened, respectively, to right side member 15C and left side member 16C. In this manner the other open end in casing 11C is partially closed by means of cover 60AA with a slot 60C provided for the reception of a spring catch 12C. Cover 60AA has a rolled edge 60BB which abuts the end of the tubular casing 11C.

As will be seen in FIGURES l2 and 13, spring catch 12D is lodged in casing 13C with step 84E spring locked in engagement with leg 63. Spring catch 12C is also lodged in casing 13C, in a nested position with spring catch 12D, and with step 24E spring locked in engagement with leg 63A.

It is contemplated for the manufacturer to ship chain bracelets `32 of a maximum length. In order to reduce the length of the chain bracelet 32 so as to iit the wrist of the purchaser spring catch 12 and slug 40 are quickly and easily detached from chain bracelet 32 and the required number of chain links 32A and 32B can be cut off the remainder of the chain bracelet by means of a wire cutter. In this way, when the chain bracelet serves as a watch band, links from opposite ends of the chain bracelet 32 can be cut oit, thereby centering the watch in relation to the clasp. As previously described the spring catch 12 and the casing 11 are readily and easily attached and detached from chain bracelet 32.

Having shown and described preferred embodiments of the present invention, by way of example, it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. An adjustable chain bracelet comprising a plurality of interconnected chain links having a first end link and a second end link, a clasp comprising a casing and an interiitting spring catch, said casing being tubular in form, and open on two oppositely located ends, said spring catch consisting of a base having two legs separated by a space, said two legs being resiliently movable toward and away from each other, latch means between said spring catch and casing to removably secure said spring catch within said casing, one of said two legs having a twisted end portion provided with a half loop, said half loop terminating in a resilient hook portion directed into said space and thereby providing a restricted passageway in cooperation with said last mentioned leg and a passageway in cooperation with the other of said two legs, said hooked portion adapted to enter said first end link to lodge said first end link in said half loop and be retained therein by said resilient hook portion, and means to fasten said second end link to said casing at one of said two oppositely located ends.

2. A claim as deiined in claim 1 being further characterized in that said means to fasten said second end link to said casing consists of an end cap having an insert portion and a chain link hook, said chain link hook consisting of a twisted portion forming a half loop terminating in a resilient hook portion providing a restricted entrance into said loop and having a resilient chain engaging portion to resiliently hold said second end link in said halt loop, and means to secure said insert portion in said casing through one of said two oppositely located ends.

3. A claim as defined in claim 1 being further characterized in that said casing having a rectangular shape, thin in vertical cross section, and arched in contour to conform to the curvature of a wrist, and said spring catch having an arched contour to mate with the arched contour of said casing.

4. An adjustable chain bracelet comprising a plurality o interconnected chain links having a first end link and a second end link, a clasp comprising a casing and an interfitting spring catch, said casing consisting of a top member, a bottom member, a right side member, and a left side member provided with an ear, to thereby define a cavity with two open ends, said spring catch consisting of a base having two legs separated by a space, one of said two legs having an outwardly bent spring prong portion, the other of said two legs having a notch adapted to engage and disengage said ear to removably secure said spring catch within said cavity through one of said two open ends, said last mentioned leg having an end provided with a twist to form the contour of half a chain link, and terminating in a tapered blade extension extending into said space and forming a restricted passageway in cooperation with said last mentioned leg and a passageway in cooperation wtih said first mentioned leg, said tapered leg extension adapted to enter said first end link to lodge said first end line in said contour of half a chain, and means to fasten said second end link to said casing at one of said two open ends.

S. An adjustable chain bracelet comprising a plurality of interconnected chain links having a first end link and a second end link, a clasp comprising a hollow casing and two spring catches, said hollow casing having two open ends, and a first cover provided with a slot, means fastening said first cover to said hollow casing at one of said two open ends, said means forming a first projection, a second cover provided with a second slot, a second means fastening said second cover to said hollow casing at the other of said two open ends, said last means forming a second projection, the first spring catch consisting of a base having two legs separated by a space, one of said two legs having a spring prong portion, the other of said two legs having `a notch, engageable and disengageable with said first projection and thereby removably retain said first spring catch within said casing, said rst spring catch passing through the slot in said first cover, said last mentioned leg having an end provided with a twist to form the contour of la half chain link, and terminating in a tapered blade extension extending into said space and forming a restricted passageway in cooperation with said last mentioned leg and a passageway in cooperation with said first mentioned leg, said tapered leg extension adapted to enter said first end link to lodge said first end link in said contour of half a chain, a second spring catch consisting of a base having a first and second leg separated by a space, said first leg having a spring prong portion, the second leg having a notch engageable and disengageable with said second projection, and thereby removably retain said second spring catch within said casing, said second spring catch passing through the slot in said second cover, said second leg having an end provided with a twist to form the contour of a half chain link, and terminating in a tapered blade extension extending into said space and forming a restricted passageway in cooperation with said second leg and a passageway in cooperation with said first leg, said tapered leg extension adapted to enter said second end link to lodge said second end link in said contour of said last mentioned half a chain link.

6. An yadjustable chain bracelet comprising a plurality of interconnected chain links providing a first end link and a second end link, a clasp comprising a hollow casing and a first spring catch, and a second spring catch, said hollow casing having a first open end 'and a second open end, a first cover provided with a first slot, means fastening said first cover to said hollow casing at the first open end, a first projection means located within said hollow casing, a second cover provided with a second slot, means fastening said second cover to said hollow casing at the second open end, a second projection means located within said hollow casing, the first spring catch consisting of a base having two legs separated by a space and resiliently movable toward and away from each other, at least one of said legs having a notch engageable and disengageable with said first projection, `said first spring catch passing through the slot in said first cover, one of said legs having an end with the contour of half a chain link land twisted to form a nest for the first end link, a blade projecting from the contour of half a chain link into said space, said blade resiliently movable toward and away from one of said two legs, to form a restricted passageway through which said first end link passes to be retained in the contour of half a chain link, the second spring catch consisting of la base provided with a first leg and a second leg separated by a space and resiliently movable toward and away from each other, a notch in said first leg engageable and disengageable with said second projection, said second spring catch passing through the slot in said second cover, the second leg having an end with the contour of half a chain link and twisted to form a nest for the second end link, a blade projecting from the cont-our of said last mentioned half a chain link and into the last mentioned space, said last mentioned blade resiliently movable toward and away from the second leg to form a restricted passageway through which said :second end link passes to be retained in the contour of said last mentioned half a chain link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,167 7/1917 Arnold 24-241 1,405,227 1/ 1922 Knopf 24-241 3,299,679 1/ 1967 Anderson 24-241 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner'. 

